King's Cross Train Station Redevelopment

by John McAslan + Partners

Due to open in time for the London Olympics 2012, the King’s Cross Station redevelopment, by John McAslan + Partners (JMP), is to take on the role of a new architectural gateway intended to spearhead infrastructural design in the UK.

The project’s working methods encompass refurbishment, adaptation and 21st-century technology. The thoroughly reorganised internal programme also incorporates an expansive new west concourse.

According to the architects at JMP, ‘The new wing will tie the station to the Great Northern Hotel, which after restoration will be a luxury boutique hotel. The existing station building is being refurbished in the process, streamlining the interchange with St Pancras, the London Underground and surrounding context.’

Resembling half an open umbrella, the concourse adjoins the existing station, rising some 20 m and spanning a full 150 m, creating a new entrance to the station through the south end of the structure and a mezzanine level at the north end. Engineered by Arup, the 7,500-sq-m concourse will be Europe’s largest single-span station structure, composed of 16 steel tree-form columns that radiate from an expressively tapered central funnel.